My piece on long-term unemployment got me to wondering–how many long term unemployed, marginally attached, and discouraged workers are leaving the workforce permanently and winding up on disability insurance? In my own work life I’ve known people who really could have qualified for a disability award. But in a solid labor market they were able to find employers who were willing/able to accommodate some special needs. When times are tougher, accommodation above ADA requirements often goes away. So a working person who is technically disabled is pushed out of the workforce by market changes. If I’ve witnessed it myself it can’t be too uncommon. This led me to ask how much it’s going on, and if it’s higher now than in the past.

The rate declined slightly in the mid- and late- nineties and then slightly rose in the aughts

The average monthly awards fell by 38% to about 12000 awards per month in April of 2012 to present

I attribute the increase in awards in 1990 to a cultural change–Americans began to be more aware and more accepting of individuals with disabilities. Disability accommodation came to be seen as a Civil Rights issue, culminating in the first President Bush signing the ADA. It makes sense that Americans would be more willing to apply for disability benefits, and that the government would be more willing to award them.

Bottom line, folks are bringing up the “explosion” in disability benefits 23 years too late. The rate increase was in 1990. And for the last 15 months, the rate of new awards being added is down, and down by a lot. Sometimes it feels good to go against the conventional wisdom, and this is one of those times.

First of all I would like to say fantastic blog!
I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you do not
mind. I was curious to know how you center yourself and clear your head prior to writing.
I have had trouble clearing my mind in getting my thoughts out.

I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first
10 to 15 minutes are lost just trying to figure out how to begin. Any
ideas or tips? Many thanks!

Fascinating blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from
somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand out.
Please let me know where you got your theme.
Cheers